Health and Me

Rachel V Thomas

CDC Youth Report: US Teen Mental Health, Suicide Risk Improve; Sleep, Low Exercise Remain Concerns

CDC Youth Report: Teen Mental Health, Suicide Risk Improve; Sleep, Low Exercise Remain Concerns

<span>Teen mental health</span> in the US is improving, with fewer high school students reporting persistent sadness or hopelessness, poor mental health and suicidal thoughts, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), conducted among high school students nationwide in 2025, provides data on youth mental health, physical activity, sleep, diet and digital behaviors. The latest report includes national data from 2023 to 2025 and 10-year trends from 2015 to 2025.

<h2>Teen Mental Health Shows Improvement</h2>

Several mental health and suicide risk indicators improved between 2023 and 2025:

<ul><li>Persistent sadness or hopelessness fell from 40% to 33%.</li><li>Poor mental health declined from 29% to 23%.</li><li>Seriously considering suicide fell from 20% to 14%. </li></ul><strong></strong>

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/more-covid-infections-more-health-problems-back-respiratory-mental-problems-among-new-risks-article-156154738" data-type="tilCustomLink">More COVID Infections, More Health Problems? Back, Respiratory, Mental Problems Among New Risks</a>

"These are meaningful improvements, and they show that progress is possible when schools, families, and communities work together to support young people," said Dr. Jennifer Shuford, CDC's deputy director and chief medical officer.

At the same time, the data showed that many teenagers, especially girls and teenagers who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual, are still struggling. 

Thirty-three percent of high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in the last 12 months, down from a peak of 42 percent in 2021.

Fourteen percent of teenagers reported that they had seriously considered attempting suicide, down from 22 percent in 2021. 

“Those declines in depression and suicidal thoughts are very striking, particularly that they’re lower than 2019,” said Jean Twenge, a psychologist at San Diego State University who has studied the mental health impacts of smartphones and social media use on teenagers, NYT reported.  

“This isn’t just post-pandemic anymore; this is a more longstanding trend in improvement,” Twenge added.

<h2>Diet And Sports Participation Improve</h2>

Some healthy behaviors also improved between 2023 and 2025:

<ul><li>Daily fruit consumption rose from 33% to 39%.</li><li>Daily vegetable consumption increased from 58% to 63%.</li><li>The percentage of students drinking plain water at least three times a day rose from 54% to 58%.</li><li>Sports team participation increased from 52% to 58%.</li></ul>

However, daily physical activity, muscle-strengthening activity and meeting recommended activity guidelines remained unchanged.

Read More: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/from-remdesivir-to-ventilators-covid-patients-died-due-to-hospital-protocols-claims-whistleblower-nurse-article-156198977" data-type="tilCustomLink">From Remdesivir To Ventilators: COVID Patients Died Due To Hospital Protocols, Claims Whistleblower Nurse</a>

<h2>Most Teens Still Don't Get Enough Sleep</h2>

Only 24% of students reported getting at least eight hours of sleep on an average school night in 2025, similar to 23% in 2023.

Insufficient sleep is linked to poor mental health, difficulty concentrating and risky behaviors.

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About 36% of students reported using social media every hour or more in 2025, similar to 37% in 2023.

Among students who drove in the previous month, 46% reported texting or emailing while driving, up from 42% in 2023.

The CDC noted that digital behaviors can affect sleep, physical activity, nutrition, safety and mental well-being.

The Youth Risk Behavior Survey has been conducted every two years since 1991 and provides nationally representative data to help identify emerging health challenges and track long-term trends.

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Teen mental health in the US is improving, with fewer high school students reporting persistent sadness or hopelessness, poor mental health and suicidal thoughts, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).The CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), conducted among high school students nationwide in 2025, provides data on youth mental health, physical activity, sleep, diet and digital behaviors. The latest report includes national data from 2023 to 2025 and 10-year trends from 2015 to 2025.Teen Mental Health Shows ImprovementSeveral mental health and suicide risk indicators improved between 2023 and 2025:Persistent sadness or hopelessness fell from 40% to 33%.Poor mental health declined from 29% to 23%.Seriously considering suicide fell from 20% to 14%. Also read: More COVID Infections, More Health Problems? Back, Respiratory, Mental Problems Among New Risks"These are meaningful improvements, and they show that progress is possible when schools, families, and communities work together to support young people," said Dr. Jennifer Shuford, CDC's deputy director and chief medical officer. At the same time, the data showed that many teenagers, especially girls and teenagers who identify as lesbian, gay or bisexual, are still struggling. Thirty-three percent of high school students reported persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in the last 12 months, down from a peak of 42 percent in 2021.Fourteen percent of teenagers reported that they had seriously considered attempting suicide, down from 22 percent in 2021. “Those declines in depression and suicidal thoughts are very striking, particularly that they’re lower than 2019,” said Jean Twenge, a psychologist at San Diego State University who has studied the mental health impacts of smartphones and social media use on teenagers, NYT reported.  “This isn’t just post-pandemic anymore; this is a more longstanding trend in improvement,” Twenge added.Diet And Sports Participation ImproveSome healthy behaviors also improved between 2023 and 2025:Daily fruit consumption rose from 33% to 39%.Daily vegetable consumption increased from 58% to 63%.The percentage of students drinking plain water at least three times a day rose from 54% to 58%.Sports team participation increased from 52% to 58%.However, daily physical activity, muscle-strengthening activity and meeting recommended activity guidelines remained unchanged.Read More: From Remdesivir To Ventilators: COVID Patients Died Due To Hospital Protocols, Claims Whistleblower NurseMost Teens Still Don't Get Enough SleepOnly 24% of students reported getting at least eight hours of sleep on an average school night in 2025, similar to 23% in 2023.Insufficient sleep is linked to poor mental health, difficulty concentrating and risky behaviors.Social Media Use Remains High      About 36% of students reported using social media every hour or more in 2025, similar to 37% in 2023.Among students who drove in the previous month, 46% reported texting or emailing while driving, up from 42% in 2023.The CDC noted that digital behaviors can affect sleep, physical activity, nutrition, safety and mental well-being.The Youth Risk Behavior Survey has been conducted every two years since 1991 and provides nationally representative data to help identify emerging health challenges and track long-term trends.